Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)

[BBfanboy]

I forget which thread, but another poster reported that having P-61s accompany a night strike by bombers seems to help the bomber accuracy. No verification, just his observation.

[Mundy]

Thanks. I'll experiment when I get the chance.

[Capt. Harlock]

I forget which thread, but another poster reported that having P-61s accompany a night strike by bombers seems to help the bomber accuracy. No verification, just his observation.

Another possibility: try one or two night raids with B-29's against a target CF really wants to defend, then do a night-time sweep with the P-61's.

[Mundy]

We'll be having a break the rest of the week as KenchiSulla (CF) is on a work trip until the weekend.

A perturbing issue is that two IJA units mysteriously appeared in the hex NE of Ranchi, pinning my troops in that hex. Fortunately, I had some troops enroute in the neighboring hex, so I can hopefully kick them out of there. Following that, I have another division enroute which should show up a few days after these guys arrive. I can't let these ground encounters just sit, as he loves to try and cut off units like this.

Once I take care of these, I'm going to get my troops out of Ranchi altogether. I can send some of them east to make more trouble. Speaking of, my armored unit is almost to Comilla. There appears to be a single unit there of about 1000 troops with some guns and vehicles. I may be able to deal with these. If not, I'll pull back.

[Mundy]

In places like Benares and Patna, once I free myself from Ranchi, I think I'll avoid totally deploying inside those cities proper and keep flanking units out to the side. My opponent is very good at maneuvering ground units around and I need to be a bit more fleet of foot. I wasn't happy with this situation, as my free roving recon squadrons didn't warn me of this.

The only downside is the open terrain around most of these cities and I don't want to eat bombs while sitting there.

[BBfanboy]

You should have enough armoured and motorized units now to outpace the IJA on the flanks. Can you not use them to invest the target base and wait for the less mobile units to march in and take it?

[Mundy]

I'm not sure where to hit him, apart from the east country. He's pretty strong at Cocanada, Calcutta and Ranchi. Based on my roving armor, that seems to be pretty much most of his army in India.

I just want to get my guys out of Ranchi. Unlike Calcutta, I can actually do something about it. I really regret not having those US forces to throw around here.

If I'm really desperate, I can probably move a couple divisions from Ceylon. I don't really want to leave it undefended, but there's probably no way he can take it back. I have way too many planes at all the bases on that island. I'll need to check the report so see what UK/Indian LCUs are due to arrive.

[Mundy]

01 June 1944

KS is back and we're on again.

I started probing Calcutta with sweeps and pretty much rolled them over.

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 29
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 49
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 17 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 33800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 40 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 33600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (3 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 19
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 41
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 29696 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
30 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 41000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 39000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
Ryujo-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 32600 and 36540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 34800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 33800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 10
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 31540 and 39600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Ryujo-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 32540 and 36540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 33600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 33540.
Raid is overhead

I'll keep this up a few days. If I can knock down the defending fighters a bit, I may send the 29s in to torch his heavy industry.

Further north, I'm maneuvering units to take care of those surrounding mine at Ranchi. I've more sweeping further east to maybe cut them off too.

At Comilla, I attacked, but forgot to take my guys out of move mode. Fixed and trying again next turn.

Ground combat at Comilla (56,39)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 715 troops, 0 guns, 92 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Defending force 797 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 15

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Gardner's Horse Regiment

Defending units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF

[Mundy]

02 June 1944

2nd day of sweeps at Calcutta doesn't go as well. Probably fatigue playing a role here. Any daydreams about ramping this up are dispelled.

At Comilla, the most recent attack doesn't go well. On top of that, his LB bombers are now focusing their attention on my unit. Time to get them out.

I've probably about three days before I can relieve the siege at Ranchi. It's getting a bit fluid around there. I was heavily bombing his troops there, to little affect. The other half of my heavies were concentrating on the airfield there. Damage is at 100% at this point. His LCUs at Ranchi took a shot at my forces there and got beaten back with heavy losses with light ones on my side. This could mess with their supply situation, however.

My B-29s are hitting Rangoon's port next turn. If hitting the refineries doesn't concern KS, than maybe totally trashing the port facilities might.

[Mundy]

05 June 1944

My first division reached the hex NW of Ranchi this turn and will attack. A bunch more troops will show up next turn, so if I can't drive them out now, I probably will later. Then I can get my guys out of Ranchi.

Gardner's bunch exited Comilla and are on their way to a railhead. For now, I've probably extended about as much as I want to and will pull back to somewhere like Tezpur.

My sweeps at Raipur have not encountered any fighters the last few turns. I know he keeps bombers and recon there. Next turn, much of my India based bombers will hit the airfields. B-29s will also come in at max altitude. I'm testing to see how well they do that high up. They're within normal range, so a buttload of bombs will be dropped by them. About half the Superfortress wing (probably two wings worth -- 16 squadrons) dropped mines at Calcutta on a night mission. IJN minesweepers tend to clear mines the hard way.

[Sangeli]

What's going on in the rest of the world? I think you are playing right into Japan's strategy by continuing to focus so much on India. I mean what's the long term goal here? Recapture India and push into Burma? With China firmly in Japanese hands Burma is no longer strategically important. India has some industry but at this point its the oil that is more valuable. I know you have some action in the Gilberts and Marshalls but I think by mid 44 you need more attack vectors in the Pacific than that. I mean Fiji is still in Japanese hands and I can't imagine that CF is going to risk any important naval assets in its defense. And while taking Fiji doesn't really hurt the Japanese, it should help you alleviate your supply convoy troubles by shortening that US to OZ convoy routes and that to me is pretty important.

[Mundy]

I can't say India's driving everything right now. The Marshalls are what I'm really planning on at this point. Lots of stuff is in transit and It'll be 6-8 weeks before everything arrives at Pearl. India's been a sideshow at this point, though it just happens to be where the action is at the moment. He's only holding about three bases with any real numbers at this point. In a few weeks, I can finally grab Male Is, NE of Addu. Once my guys are out of Ranchi, I may think about a back door entry into Burma through the jungle. In my opinion, he hasn't the troops for further attacks in India. If he did, troops would be stolen from somewhere else, and with all the recon I have in-country, I'll ferret that out fairly quickly.

I haven't looked for awhile, but I recall him having roughly 25,000 troops at Fiji. 30,000, at least is at Port Moresby. KS seems to be rolling in troops. I'm not sure I've the assets to recon Noumea, so who knows how much is there right now.

Maybe after the Marshalls are taken care of, I can start parceling out my assault transports for other work. I'm still thinking about that far end Jima island in the Kuriles. I'm unsure if I'll have my final showdown with KB by that point either. I've something like 10 fleet carriers and another 5 CVLs. Add to that almost another 20 CVEs. I don't care how high a model of A6M he has, he's at a disadvantage on the fighter front. I'm hoping Sam production doesn't start soon.

After the Marshalls, I have some options. Maybe he's skimped on security at Truk. It wouldn't be too many hops from there before I can relocate my B-29s to somewhere more threatening.

My in-transit stuff is the bottleneck right now. Some of my carriers need repair after reaching Pearl, plus some upgrades will probably happen.

[Mundy]

06 June 1944

Raipur gets the heavy treatment.

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 4
B-24J Liberator x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Liberator GR.VI bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
B-25G Mitchell x 6
B-25H Mitchell x 6
P-38H Lightning x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim VD bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
B-25H Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-38H Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 11

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 17

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 30000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

As expected, B-29s operating at 30,000 feet performed very mediocrely. Their sheer volume of bombs were all that allowed any hits at all.

The unit NE of Raipur is identified.

Ground combat at 52,31 (near Ranchi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15016 troops, 306 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 825

Defending force 7395 troops, 112 guns, 406 vehicles, Assault Value = 360

Allied adjusted assault: 83

Japanese adjusted defense: 701

Allied assault odds: 1 to 8

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Assaulting units:
20th Indian Division
82nd (West African) Division
72nd British Brigade
88th Medium Regiment
122nd British AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
1st Tank Division

Don't be misled. Only one division attacked. the others arrived this turn. Everyone will rest a day and then attack next turn. Hopefully, I have enough to drive them out.

Pressure will be kept up on Raipur. Sambalpur will also get hit, as no fighters are there either.

Tarawa has its own fighters now, covering the current convoy unloading there. Nobody's been messed with in the area now. Taking a head count, I think I have around 24 CVEs based out of Pearl.

[BBfanboy]

All those bombs on Raipur and no troop casualties? Did he move them all out?

[Mundy]

I doubt it. He had troops running from there to the NW before. I was only targeting the base, so casualties tend to be less frequent then too. I'll probably be flipping over to hitting troops themselves before too long.

This almost feels like one of the Robert Conroy novels I'm reading.

[Mundy]

07 June 1944

More raids in India.

Raipur:

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 4
B-24J Liberator x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 5 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Liberator GR.VI bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter TF.X x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter TF.X: 2 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufighter TF.X bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter TF.X x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter TF.X: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter TF.X bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Sambalpur:

Morning Air attack on Sambalpur , at 48,34

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 36
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 92

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Sambalpur , at 48,34

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Sambalpur , at 48,34

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Both these airfields are toast now. I'm surprised he hasn't railed the planes out of there yet.

In addition, troops at Raipur got hit also.

Afternoon Air attack on 1st RF Gun Battalion, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
P-38H Lightning x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 9th RF Gun Battalion ...
Also attacking 1st RF Gun Battalion ...
Also attacking 9th RF Gun Battalion ...

-------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 9th RF Gun Battalion, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 10
B-25H Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

-------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 55th Division, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 2
Spitfire VIII x 11
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
B-25G Mitchell x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 10

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim VD bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 55th Division, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 61

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb



---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 55th Division, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb



---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 55th Division, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on 55th Division, at 45,31 (Raipur)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Next turn, the 29s are hitting the troops in the hex NE of Ranchi, where my troops have gathered. They'll be attacking also.

Another CVE arrived at Portland -- Makin Island.

The first big mob of APAs and such from Cape Town/Colombo arrived at Panama and are now enroute to Pearl. Another force of two CVEs and a bunch of cruisers are on-map from there, enroute also.

[Mundy]

Regarding my organization...

At Hawaii, I started moving some troops to Lahaina to try and relieve the stacking situation at Pearl. Turns out, it was really just scratching the surface, so I'm sending them back. Earlier, I was getting the yellow exclamation point while at over 100k in supply. I'll just pump extra in for now.

I've let fuel sink to under 100k, so a big convoy is about to finish loading at San Francisco. More supply will follow -- probably in a fast convoy. All the new 12 kt freighters (i.e. Liberty ships...) have been sent to Cape Town, leaving the better C class and maybe even Victory ships for use in the States. I miss Queen Elizabeth right now. I'm now also gathering up the three split Hawaiian LCUs to re-assemble them at Pearl. Maybe contribute them to the Marshalls also. If I think of KS made a mistake in this game, it was the fact that he has no submarine anti-commerce campaign going on in my rear areas. I've been playing fast and loose moving ships freely between the States and Hawaii with zero subs showing up anywhere. Covering the US-Panama route would have been smart too. Subs have been quiet right now. The last real campaign with them was around Ceylon, and I drove them out with a heavy hammer. The last few that were near the states were getting hit also. Japan and Calcutta, on the other hand, are swimming in subs, and I've even been hitting freighters going to the Jimas in the Kuriles. I have no clue at this point if Calcutta is self-sufficient for him in supply. I wouldn't think so, the way I'm grabbing bases, many of them producing resources.

I thought the Colombo invasion was big. The Marshalls Campaign will dwarf that one, I think. I'm planning on 4 landing sites. I'll probably be able to stack 6 CVEs into each of them, which should provide sufficient air cover. All of them have traded their Wildcats for Hellcats and even Corsairs in a few of them. This will leave my Fleet carriers able to provide a more roving type of cover to this. I'm guessing 9 CVs and 5 CVLs will be available for this. For battleships, the two Iowas will be with the fleet carriers and the rest will directly cover the invaders. No bombardment missions. I also have at least a score of rocket ships. Along with ASW and minesweepers for each landing site, I'll probably add two cruiser-heavy ASuW groups for cover. Roi-Namur seems to be where his ships are dwelling right now. The nice thing about the Gilberts is how easily the Marshalls are in range for snooping.

My Gilbert bases are building, but slowly. I'm not sure if I can pack too many planes from the Samoa area up there. It's probably approaching time to start retrieving all the aircraft I've packed in New Zealand, too.

In India, a 100k convoy unloaded at Karachi. Another four or so more convoys should be on-map within a week or so, so things are looking up there, supply-wise. Another 50k convoy from Abadan is also enroute. I may do some rearranging of my bombers there. Nearly all of them are at either Delhi or, Bhopal, I think. I could probably start moving them to Benares and/or Patna at this point. I really want to start working on Calcutta. Escorts would have to work out of Patna, I think. Right now, the bulk of his land based air is at Calcutta, with a lesser number at Vizagapatnam. Helens have been harassing Gardner's mob, leaving Comilla. I am slowly putting the screws on him here, though nothing like the instant-win I was hoping for with my invasion. Live and learn...

[BBfanboy]

Sounds like the Marshalls invasion will be a party!
How long before we see the fireworks?

[Mundy]

Probably 6-8 weeks minimum. I'm still waiting for ships to get over from Cape Town.

I'll have more land units in by then, so that'll be time to get them prepped.

If/when I take the Marshalls, more strategic options open up. I wonder if he's skimping at Truk.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Mundy
Probably 6-8 weeks minimum. I'm still waiting for ships to get over from Cape Town.

What kind of ships? Navy or amphibious craft?